Ski heel



Patented Sept. 27, 1938 UNITEDIS'TATVES PATENT OFFICE j 2 Claims.

My present invention relates to a novel heel to receive the heel strap of harness adapted to attach skis to the footwear.

The maintenance of initial adjustments of the harness is of fundamental importance to all skiers whether novices or experts. Ski harnesses include an adjustable strap for the fore part of the boot or like footwear and an adjustable strap to extend around the heel of the boot. The difliculty of tightly adjusting such straps is commonly appreciated and, of course, that difiiculty is made more serious by snow and cold weather.

Skiers commonly experienced the difficulty not only of securing an effective initial harness adjustment, but also of maintaining the effectiveness of such acb'ustment while skiing. To overcome the tendency of the heel strap to slip from the heel, over-sized leather heels were frequently cut down to establish a retaining flange. This attempt to overcome this difl'iculty was not satisfactory as at best only the most serious consequences of imperfect harness adjustment were prevented. Furthermore, the heels were not adapted to resist the moisture and were as a consequence deformed by strap pressure, the heel layers separated, and wear was accelerated necessitating relatively frequent replacement of the heels which was expensive and generally done at the factory.

In accordance with my invention, I provide a novel heel which is adapted to receive the heel strap and to maintain the effectiveness of harness adjustment by tightening the heel strap as it tends to work down the heel. My heel is also formed to eliminate accumulation of snow and accordingly reduces to a minimum the effects of moisture. Due to economies in manufacture and in use, I prefer to mold my heel of rubber.

In the drawing I have shown an embodiment of my invention and where necessary to its clear understanding I have suggested typical footwear and ski harness. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side view of my novel heel with typical footwear and harness suggested.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of my heel, and

Fig. 3 shows my heel as viewed from the bottom.

In Fig. 1, I have shown my heel as attached to a boot indicated as at 2 while at 3 I have suggested the heel strap of a typical heel harness.

My heel is formed with a heel seat to correspond to the heel seat of the shoe so that my heel may be attached to any footwear easily and tially the widest part of the heel indicated at 6, 5

6. As the sides of the heel curve to form the rear of the heel, the width of the flange 5 increases to a desired maximum width at the rear of the heel.

portions 1 commencing at a distance from ,the flange 5 proportioned to the width of the flange 5. The line of origin of the outwardly curved portions 1 is adjacent the flange 5 at the widest part 6, 6 of the heel and advances towards the top 15 of the sides of the heel as the flange 5 increases in width.

It is not essential that the line of origin of the curved portions 1 commence at the widest part 6, 6 of the heel although that construction is preferred. It is essential that the line of origin of the outwardly curved portions 1 commence adjacent the flange 5 and advance towards the top of the sides to present a sufficient outward curve to ensure the tightening of the strap 3 be- 5 fore it leaves its proper position. This construction also permits the use of a flange, which, although adequate, still does not exceed the maximum Width of the heel designated by the reference numerals 6, 6.

The breast 8 of my heel is formed to resist the accumulation of snow as it is beveled at an angle of 33 to the vertical and is convexed transversely as may be seen from a comparison 0 of the drawing.

Heels incorporating my invention may be made of any suitable material, but the full advantages of my invention are attainable only in heels of molded rubber. This is attributable to both the inherent characteristics of the material used and to the features of my invention which cooperate to make this embodiment of my invention most effective. 6

A heel made in accordance with my invention is economical to manufacture and easily attached to any footwear. Its snow repellent characteristics ensure long and satisfactory service, while the outwardly flared flange ensures the establishment and maintenance of the firm hold of harness on the footwear essential to skiers.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A molded rubber heel for a ski boot comprising a side wall and a strap retaining bottom 55 The sides of the heel include outwardly curved 10 the 50- flange emerging from said side wall at substantially the widest part of said heel and increasing to a desired width as the width of said heel decreases and said side wall including a portion outwardly curved to the edge of said flange, said portion commencing at a point midway between said flange and the top of said wall at the widest part of said flange and receding towards said flange as the width of said flange diminishes to present a gradually increased surface at the rear of the heel to resist strap slippage.

2. A molded rubber heel for a ski boot comprising a side wall and a strap retaining bottom flange emerging from said side wall at substantially the widest part of said heel and increasing to a desired width as the width of said heel decreases, the maximum width of said heel through said flange being substantially equal in width to said widest part of said heel and said side wall including a portion outwardly curved to the edge of said flange, said portion commencing at a point midway between said flange and the top of said wall at the widest part of said flange and receding towards said flange as the width of said flange diminishes to present a gradually increased surface at the rear of the heel to resist strap slippage.

DON C. HUBBARD. 

